Instrument Data Sheet

Instrument Data Sheet is a document containing specification and information of an instrument device. It specifies general information of instrument such as tag number identification, service description, location (line number/equipment number), P&ID number or drawing number reference, process data (if applicable), calibrated range (if applicable), material, performance details (such as accuracy, linearity – if applicable), hazardous certification (for electrical device), accessories required, etc. The details of information in data sheet may differ among each types of instrument such as transmitter, switch, gauge, control valves.

Preparing a data sheet requires some document/drawing references. The following steps describe the work flow:

P&ID provides general information such as instrument tag number, service description, line number/equipment number, P&ID number.

Process data. Some of the following process data should be available for selection of instrument; fluid type, fluid state (gas/liquid), design pressure, operating pressure, design temperature, operating temperature, flow rate, density, viscosity, specific gravity, ratio specific heat (gas), molecular weight (gas). However, the information of process data which is required to be specified in the data sheet varies depends on the instrument type. For example, a pressure gauge data sheet does not require ratio of specific heat. By knowing those process data, Instrument engineer may select material of instrument, calibrated range, body rating, etc. Process data can be obtained from process discipline document named “Heat and Material Balance”. Other way, instrument engineer may look to the line list, also issued by process discipline, to get general process data. However, compared to HMB, only limited process data is provided in line list document.

Project specification. Company has specification which details minimum requirement for instrumentation. In addition, it also provides standard that shall be applied to instrument in order to have uniform specification for certain instrument throughout the plant. This is intended to minimize the spare part and tools, also to give ease of maintenance.

Calculation. Some instrument need to be calculated to have a proper size. This calculation is required prior data sheet preparation. Control valve, pressure safety valve, orifice plate, thermowell are some of instruments which need to be calculated.

Vendor catalog. It is recommended to refer vendor catalog during data sheet preparation to ensure that the device is available on the market. Skipping this activity could result difficulties in finding the instrument on the market during procurement phase. If the instrument is not available on the market, it could change the design, not only the instrument design but also could revert back up to process design. Not only re-work, it also could result to project delay.

Code and Standard. Last but not least, cross check to the related code and standard is needed although this issue mostly has been covered in project specification.

The purpose of instrument data sheet

When the data sheet completed, it is attached to requisition which to be sent to several vendors. Vendors will offer their quotation with various model and manufacturer among the offers. It is an instrument engineer responsibility to evaluate all quotation and determine which offer is technically acceptable.

Having been considered its technical and commercial aspects, the instrument is purchased. Following the purchase order, vendor will submit supporting document and drawing. Based on vendor data, instrument data sheet may be updated to accommodate details to make the data sheet “as-built”.

Finally, data sheet along with its supporting vendor data are stored in library or document control and will be referred during construction, operation and maintenance.